Rabbi Yosef Farhi Answers: When is Mashiach Coming?

In the vibrant world of Jewish discourse, few topics ignite as much passion and speculation as the arrival of Mashiach, the Messiah. Lately, the airwaves and online forums have been abuzz with predictions: Rabbi Amar has declared that the Messianic era is already upon us, while others insist Mashiach must arrive within the next 15 years at the latest. Even Rabbi Kook's teachings are being invoked, urging people not to hesitate in making aliyah (immigrating to Israel).

But why this sudden surge in talk? And what do ancient texts reveal about these timelines? Let's dive into the sources, the math, and the deeper wisdom cautioning against pinning down dates.

The Ancient Calculations Fueling the Hype

At the heart of this excitement lies interpretations from revered Jewish scholars, particularly the Ramban (Nachmanides) in his commentary on Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs). The Ramban draws on a midrashic tradition that envisions human history as spanning 7,000 years, mirroring the seven days of Creation, each "day" equaling 1,000 years, as per Tehillim (Psalms) 90:4: "For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday."

The key focus? The final millennium, from year 6,000 to 7,000 in the Jewish calendar, is seen as the era of ultimate redemption and peace. But before that, there's a preparatory period: 200 years of "the days of Mashiach," a time of transition and reward for those who have faithfully awaited it. This is drawn from the verse in Shir Hashirim: "Its flashes are flashes of fire... Many waters cannot quench love" (8:6-7), interpreted as "200 years for those who guard its fruit" - the spiritual merits accumulated through mitzvot (commandments).

Why the urgency now? We're currently in the Jewish year 5786 (as of November 2025). That leaves about 214 years until year 6,000, when the world is said to undergo a form of "self-destruction" or transformation, akin to Shabbat following the six days of Creation. Some rabbis, citing the Ramban and others like the Vilna Gaon, extend this to 206 years, noting the gematria (numerical value) of certain words adds an extra layer. With only 214 years left, the window for those 200-206 Messianic years is closing fast, hence the buzz that Mashiach could arrive imminently, perhaps within the next decade or so.

This sequence aligns with prophecies: First comes Mashiach, ushering in an era of resurrection and rebuilding. As the Talmud in Shabbat discusses, there's no one like God "in the days of Mashiach" or "in the world to come." The initial phase might be turbulent, with global upheavals, before settling into peace.

A Case for 210 Years: Parallels to Egypt and Beyond

Not everyone agrees on 200 years. Some interpretations favor 210, drawing rich parallels from Jewish history. The Egyptian exile lasted exactly 210 years, a period of suffering followed by redemption.

Psalms echoes this: "Gladden us according to the days You afflicted us" (90:15), linking the Messianic days to that duration. Similarly, the exodus miracles are compared to future wonders: "As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show him wonders" (Micah 7:15).The Sifri, an ancient midrash, reinforces this by stating the Messianic era spans "three generations," with each generation averaging 70 years (70 x 3 = 210). Even gematria plays a role: The word "yemot" (days of) equals 456, but tied to other calculations, it circles back to 210.

Hashem's promise to Avraham - "Your descendants will be strangers in a land not theirs... and in the fourth generation they shall return here" (Genesis 15:13-16)—implies three generations in exile, again 210 years.Another gem: When Moshe revealed God's name "Ehyeh" (I Will Be) to the Jews in Egypt, it carried a hidden message. The Jews feared 260 years of bondage (gematria of "sar" or affliction times 10 brothers involved in Yosef's sale).

But "Ehyeh" (21) times 10 yields 210, shortening the exile through merit. Some sages whisper this applies to our final redemption too, though one midrash advises against revealing it, lest people lose hope in waiting.The Zohar, mystical cornerstone of Kabbalah, also nods to 210 years for the Messianic dawn. If we adopt this view, with 214 years until 6,000, Mashiach might need to arrive within the next four years to allow a full 210-year era. It's a tantalizing thought, aligning the "end" with the "beginning," as the prophets say: "The end redemption will be like the first."

The Pitfall of Predictions: Why Dates Backfire

Yet, for all the math, Jewish tradition warns sternly against date-setting. The Talmud in Sanhedrin recounts Rabbi Yosef telling students calculating Mashiach's arrival: "When you calculate the end, you delay it." Why? Because Mashiach arrives "b'hesech hada'at" - when we're distracted, not fixated on calendars. It's like losing an object: You find it when you stop searching obsessively. Or spotting a rare bird: It appears when least expected.History bears this out. Great rabbis, from the Rambam to the Vilna Gaon, have erred in predictions.

One poignant question: How can we believe Mashiach could come today if prophecy says a navi (prophet) will announce him the day before - "Behold, your king comes" (Zechariah 9:9)? If no announcement yesterday, how today?A profound answer comes from Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komarno, who perished in the Holocaust. He distinguishes two paths: "B'itah" (in its time, at the deadline) or "Achishenah" (I will hasten it, early due to merit: Isaiah 60:22). For the "in time" arrival, a prophet precedes Mashiach by a day. But if hastened through teshuvah (repentance) and unity? The prophet arrives simultaneously, and the world instantly knows. As the blessings after Shema say: "If I hasten it, then the redeemer comes swiftly."

This explains the "ku" in prophetic verses, a shorthand for "hasten." Fixating on end-dates blinds us to the possibility of an early arrival today.

Signs Are Here: Focus on Prayer, Not Calendars

One truth unites all views: The signs of Mashiach are manifest. The ingathering of exiles, Israel's rebirth, blooming deserts, these fulfill prophecies from Ezekiel to the Talmud. The Gemara in Sanhedrin lists harbingers like widespread chutzpah, economic woes, and conflicts with "Yishmael" (often linked to Arab nations). We're seeing it: Tensions in Israel, global antisemitism, yet miraculous resilience.

As Rabbi Amar notes, "The times are already here." The Vilna Gaon echoed: After four exiles, redemption follows cries from oppression. Rather than crunch numbers, tradition urges action. In every Kaddish, we pray: "May His great name be magnified," a direct plea for Mashiach, amplified through Torah study and mitzvot.

Unite in these moments, and redemption unfolds.In the end, the buzz isn't about deadlines, it's a call to readiness. Mashiach isn't delayed by calendars but hastened by hearts. As we navigate these turbulent times, let's shift from speculation to supplication.